Liverpool’s left-back troubles need to be sorted sooner rather than later

Jose Enrique has been a big loss to Liverpool since being ruled out through injury (Picture: Getty Images)

Since José Enrique’s early injury, updates on his recovery have been few and far between. In recent weeks, new signing Aly Cissokho has been the most preferred choice, but settling into what used to be a solid back four has proven to be a challenge.

Brendan Rodgers will have wanted to give the Frenchman the time new signings need to bed into their positions, but it’s not an ideal time when Liverpool are needing to keep up with the pack, especially when everyone around us is winning.

There has been criticism of his recent play, but time does have to be given for foreign players to get used to the ‘rough and tumble’ and fast pace of the Premier League.

However, when the Reds are in the position of being in only two competitions, Liverpool can afford to play a full strength side every game, and so opportunities for second choices are limited.

One of the negatives of this is that when there are injuries, players who haven’t necessarily had much experience are thrown into the mix.

Specifically, the most significant aspect of Enrique’s game that Liverpool are missing is his attacking presence. Unlike the right side where Johnson and Sterling are having an impact, it’s the left side which has proved to be an emerging problem in both defence and attack.

Although with two players in Jon Flanagan and Enrique to come back, and are two good options for the position, would it hurt for Brendan Rodgers to dip into transfer market for cover? Or even a more permanent option?

Enrique’s injury record in the past few seasons hasn’t been great, and Liverpool can’t afford the same uncertainty with that position should he be faced with a lengthy lay-off in the future.

When he is due to return in a few weeks following surgery in November, it’s looking to be a safer decision at the moment to put the Spaniard straight back in – but will Rodgers choose to persist with his own signing in Cissokho?

Liverpool’s defence of Johnson, Agger, Skrtel and Enrique (injuries permitting) was one of the less discussed or worrying aspects of the last couple of seasons. Reds fans will be hoping that some stability will be found sooner rather than later, before weaknesses are repeatedly exposed and gaps in the table begin to form.